Welding system and method

Abstract

A welding system for welding one or more work pieces, the system comprising a welding device, a laser tracking device, and a controller module. In use of the welding system, the laser tracking device tracks a path of a desired weld and detects real-time variation(s) in the weld path. The variation(s) is/are assessed by the controller module to provide real-time communication with the welding system, so as to adjust one or more welding operating parameters.

1 . A welding system for welding one or more work pieces, the system comprising: 
 a welding device;    a laser tracking device; and    a controller module;    wherein, in use of the welding system, the laser tracking device tracks a path of a desired weld and detects real-time variation(s) in the weld path, which variation(s) is/are assessed by the controller module to provide real-time instructions to adjust, where necessary, one or more welding operating parameters.    
   
   
       2 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the real-time variations is/are selected from location, path, size, orientation, depth and/or shape of the weld to be produced.  
   
   
       3 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the welding operating parameters are selected from current or voltage supplied to an arc welder, wire feed rate, torch and/or inert gas flow rates, distance of arc from the weld path of the one or more work pieces, tracking of welding device along the weld path, speed of movement of the welding device, and width, orientation, depth and/or shape of weld produced.  
   
   
       4 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the welding device is an arc welder or gas welder.  
   
   
       5 . A welding device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the arc welder is capable of MIG, laser, plasma or TIG welding.  
   
   
       6 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the welding device further comprises a wire feeder.  
   
   
       7 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the laser tracking device is a detection device, which comprises a laser sensor (laser camera) and a controller module.  
   
   
       8 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the laser tracking device and/or the welding device are located upon a movable armature.  
   
   
       9 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the laser tracking device is mounted to a front of the armature and the welding device is mounted to a rear of the armature.  
   
   
       10 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the armature is a robotic arm.  
   
   
       11 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the welding system further comprises one or more work pieces.  
   
   
       12 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more work pieces may be fit together, to provide a unitary piece after welding.  
   
   
       13 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more work pieces may be fit together to provide at least part of a head of a golf club.  
   
   
       14 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more pieces may be fit together to form the whole head of a golf club.  
   
   
       15 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the welding system further comprises an auto feeder or conveyor for supplying one or more work pieces.  
   
   
       16 . A welding system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the welding system further comprises a fixture for location of the one or more work pieces for welding.  
   
   
       17 . A welding system for welding one or more parts of a golf club head, the system comprising: 
 a welding device;    a laser tracking device; and    a controller module;    wherein, in use of the welding system, the laser tracking device tracks a path of a desired weld and detects real-time variation(s) in the weld path, which variation(s) is/are assessed by the controller module to provide real-time instructions to adjust, where necessary, one or more welding operating parameters.    
   
   
       18 . A welding system for welding one or more work pieces, the system comprising: 
 a welding device;    a laser tracking device; and    a controller module;    wherein, in use of the welding system, the laser tracking device tracks a path of a desired weld and detects real-time variation(s) in the weld path, which variation(s) is/are assessed by the controller module to provide real-time instructions to adjust one or more welding operating parameters.    
   
   
       19 . A method of welding one or more work pieces comprising, providing a welding device; a laser tracking device; a controller module; and one or more work pieces, wherein, during welding, the laser tracking device tracks a path of desired weld on the one or more work pieces and detects real-time variations in the weld path, data relating to the real-time variations is assessed by the controller module which provides real-time instructions to adjust, where necessary, one or more welding operating parameters.  
   
   
       20 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the real-time variations are selected from location, path, size, orientation, depth and/or shape of the weld to be produced.  
   
   
       21 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the welding operating parameters are selected from current or voltage supplied to an arc welder, wire feed rate, torch and/or inert gas flow rates, distance of arc from the weld path of the one or more work pieces, tracking of welding device along the weld path, speed of movement of the welding device and width, orientation, depth and/or shape of weld produced.  
   
   
       22 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the welding device is an arc welder or a gas welder.  
   
   
       23 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the welding device further comprises a wire feeder.  
   
   
       24 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the laser tracking device is a detection device, which comprises a laser sensor (laser camera) and a controller module.  
   
   
       25 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the laser tracking device and/or the welding device are located upon a movable armature.  
   
   
       26 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the laser tracking device is mounted to a front of the armature and the welding device is mounted to a rear of the armature.  
   
   
       27 . A method of welding as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the armature is a robotic arm.  
   
   
       28 . A method of welding one or more parts of a golf club head comprising, providing a welding device; a laser tracking device; a controller module; and one or more parts of a golf club head, wherein, during welding, the laser tracking device tracks a path of desired weld on the one or more work pieces and detects real-time variations in the weld path, data relating to the real-time variations is assessed by the controller module which provides real-time instructions to adjust, where necessary, one or more welding operating parameters.  
   
   
       29 . A method of welding one or more work pieces comprising, providing a welding device; a laser tracking device; a controller module; and one or more work pieces, wherein, during welding, the laser tracking device tracks a path of desired weld on the one or more work pieces and detects real-time variations in the weld path, data relating to the real-time variations is assessed by the controller module which provides real-time instructions to adjust one or more welding operating parameters.